Fourteen years ago, Chandler Huang walked into his first gaming job with nothing but an English degree, a love of games, and a bit of luck.

Back then, China’s gaming industry wasn’t what it is today. “I didn’t even know we had a real gaming scene,” he laughs. “I just saw a job post for a browser game company looking for someone with decent English. I interviewed and got hired the same day.”

That first project, a modest browser game no one had high hopes for, turned into a long-term partnership with overseas studios, including one hit that exploded in popularity. “That was the moment I realized I actually belonged in this industry,” Chandler says.

He has been here ever since.

A Front Row Seat to China’s Gaming Evolution

Over the past decade, Chandler has witnessed the Chinese gaming industry transform from simple browser games to globally successful PC and console titles. And he has been right in the middle of it, helping bridge business deals, lead production teams, and understand what makes players, both in China and abroad, tick.

One thing people outside China often miss, he says, is just how diverse and advanced the ecosystem has become. “Everyone knows Tencent or maybe MiHoYo, but that is barely scratching the surface. These days, you will find Chinese games thriving across every platform and genre.”

From mystical fantasy worlds that cater to Chinese tastes to more medieval-style games popular in the West, Chandler has helped launch titles for both audiences. “Gameplay preferences are similar everywhere,” he notes. “It is the cultural flavor that really sets games apart by region.”

Hitting the 35 Year Old Cliff and Making a Move

In China’s gaming world, there is an unspoken rule: once you hit 35, things get harder.

“It is like a cliff,” Chandler says. “If you are still in a good role at a good company, great. But if you are not, your choices narrow fast.”

So when a previous employer gave him the chance to test the waters with more responsibility, Chandler leaned in. What started as a role managing mobile game projects soon grew into something bigger, leading key initiatives, winning trust, and eventually starting something of his own.

That something is a new content production company built entirely around Roblox.

Why Roblox? “It Is TikTok for Games”

Roblox, a global gaming platform where users create and play millions of games, might not be a household name in China yet. But Chandler believes it soon will be.

“Roblox is like TikTok, but for games,” he explains. “Creators make content, users engage with it, and the revenue goes back to creators. It is a closed loop that no other UGC platform has pulled off this naturally.”

The numbers back him up. Roblox recently hit over 100 million daily active users, and top creators on the platform have earned more than ¥100 million RMB (around $13 million USD) in a single month.

With that kind of upside, Chandler and his co-founder decided to dive in. “Our goal for year one is simple: survive. Feed ourselves. Learn the platform. Improve our production cycle. If we live long enough, we will get our shot.”

The Greater Bay Edge

Based in Shenzhen, the heart of China’s Greater Bay Area, Chandler sees distinct advantages that others might miss.

“Shenzhen and Guangzhou have tons of game industry talent, often at lower cost than Beijing or Shanghai,” he says. “And the work culture here? It is heads down, get it done. Perfect for startups.”

He also points out something unique about the local gaming scene: it is surprisingly collaborative. “We help each other. There is very little toxic competition. It has always been that way here.”

Global Vision from Day One

Chandler is clear about one thing: his company is not just for China. It is global from the start.

“The smartest path is both, domestic and international. Combine strengths. Lower costs. Open more doors.”

He encourages foreign entrepreneurs to attend game expos like Gamescom in Germany or Tokyo Game Show in Japan, places where Chinese developers increasingly show up, looking for real partners.

“China is a gaming superpower,” he says. “Anyone serious about games should pay attention.”

Challenges and Firsts

The hardest moment so far?

“Choosing our first project,” Chandler says. “It sets the tone for everything, for the team, for our investors. But we had no data. Just instinct and a lot of platform research.”

Instead of playing it safe, he made a bold call: let the team build something they are truly good at. “No shortcuts. Just play to your strengths and move fast.”

It is too early to say if it will pay off, but Chandler has no regrets.

“I am finally making the kind of game I want to make,” he says, speaking about their second project, which he is personally leading. “After 14 years, this is the first time I am truly building a game myself.”

Advice for Entrepreneurs and Creators

Chandler has worn many hats: player, business lead, investor, and now founder. He has seen what works and what does not.

So what is his advice for others thinking about starting something in China’s gaming or content space?

“Ask questions. Talk to people. The worst thing you can do is stay silent,” he says. “Everyone has gaps in their knowledge. And those gaps, if you ignore them, can kill your business.”

And if you are still hesitating about starting?

“Then you are not ready. That hesitation means you need to learn more, think more, or maybe just wait. When it is time, you will know.”

Looking Ahead

Chandler’s immediate goal is simple: get to break even within a year. Long term, he is thinking bigger.

His vision? Use Roblox as a launchpad to invent a new gameplay experience, something never seen before, and then port it to mobile, scale it, and turn it into a full fledged mobile development company.

Is it ambitious? Sure.

But for Chandler, it is just the next level of the game.